Porsche a ‘chip’ off the old block

He made his fortune in the late 1970s as the founder of the Kettle brand of potato chips, then discovered the thrill of motorsport.

In subsequent years, he acquired and raced, a variety of Porsches and is said to be the German car company’s favourite chipmaker.

As one of many fans of the classic Porsche 356 across the globe, the genial Cameron stumbled upon a rather lovely example in 2009.

The car, converted to a Spyder and painted red, had had only a single owner since 1957.

Although the professionals knew it was a very early model, nothing prepared Healey for what he’d soon discover.

It turned out to be Porsche’s first 24 Hours of Le Mans winner.

This particular 356 traces its roots back to 1949, when production was in Gmünd, Austria.

The first coupes were made of aluminium, but later series production in Stuttgart switched to steel for a simpler manufacturing process.

In 1950, the original batch of 52 aluminium-bodied cars were finished, however.

One off them was the Porsche 356/2063, which would be one of a few to tackle the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Porsche was, in fact, the first and only German manufacturer to compete in the French classic race.

Charles Faroux, one of the ‘inventors’ and current race director of the Grand Prix d’Endurance les 24 Heures du Mans, teamed up with the French Porsche importer and racer Auguste Veuillet to convince Professor Ferdinand Porsche to enter one of his sports cars in the 1951 24 Hours of Le Mans.

So Porsche fielded the 356 SL (Sport Light) “Gmünd-Coupe” with its streamlined aluminum body and covered wheels, nicknamed the “aluminium can” by the mechanics.

Related

Bill Buys, probably Australia’s longest-serving motoring writer, has been at his craft for more than five decades.
Athough motoring has always been in his DNA, he was also night crime reporter, foreign page editor and later chief reporter of the famed Rand Daily Mail.
He’s twice been shot at, attacked by a rhinoceros and had several chilling experiences in aircraft.
His experience includes stints in traffic law enforcement, motor racing and rallying and writing for a variety of local and international publications.
He has covered countless events, ranging from world motor shows and Formula 1 Grands Prix to Targa tarmac and round-the-houses meetings.
A motoring tragic, he has owned more than 90 cars. Somewhat of a nostalgic, he has a special interest in classic cars.
He is the father of Targa star Robert Buys, who often adds his expertise to Bill’s reviews.